B&M has announced that it plans to step up its investment in AI and data, particularly targeting how it makes decisions and runs the business.
The company is recruiting for a new head of data and AI, who will be tasked with building and scaling its data, analytics and artificial intelligence capabilities across the group.
B&M group IT director Suzie Williams said the business had reached an “important point” in its transformation, with data, AI and improved decision-making becoming increasingly central to its operations.
The new hire will report directly to Williams and take responsibility for shaping and delivering B&M’s data and AI strategy, while building the teams and infrastructure needed to extract greater value from the retailer’s data.
It is also recruiting an AI transformation and adoption lead, a role focused on identifying and prioritising artificial intelligence opportunities across the business and ensuring projects deliver measurable commercial, operational or productivity benefits.
B&M said the position would help shape how AI is adopted across the retailer as part of a wider technology-enabled transformation programme.
Williams said: “Data, AI and better decision-making are becoming increasingly central to how we operate, and we’re investing in the people, capabilities and foundations needed to make that happen.”
B&M modernises store technology
B&M has been rolling out a new point-of-sale system with technology specialist PMC and software provider Flooid, replacing legacy till hardware and software across its UK stores.
Full-scale deployment began in January and was scheduled to be completed in August, with B&M targeting faster transactions, reduced till friction and greater flexibility to introduce new checkout capabilities.
B&M implementation services manager David Laithwaite said closer coordination between its technology partners and internal teams had helped improve operational efficiency during the rollout.
The technology investment comes as B&M continues to expand its physical estate. The group currently operates 777 B&M stores in the UK, alongside 135 stores in France and 343 Heron Foods locations.
It has ambitions to grow its UK B&M estate to at least 1,200 shops over the longer term, putting increased emphasis on technology and support functions capable of operating at greater scale.
B&M generated £4.62bn in revenue from its core UK business in its 2026 financial year, with adjusted operating profit of £375m.
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